New Hampshire travel plan aims to get people out of their cars
Extra funding is being promised for buses, walking and cycling routes
Getting people out of cars and onto public transport is the long-term goal for Hampshire.
Today, Hampshire County Council has unveiled its draft local transport plan, outlining what changes it will make for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport.
The draft plan outlines existing projects to improve walking and cycling routes, such as for Petersfield Road in Havant.
But the main focus of the plan is on revitalising public transport infrastructure, with a specific focus on bus routes.
The county council is aiming to deliver mass rapid transit services across the county, along urban and inter-urban corridors.
Subject to funding, it is hoped that this would improve people’s access to jobs and make them less reliant on personal vehicles.
Deputy council leader and executive lead member for economy, transport and environment, Cllr Rob Humby, said:
‘At the heart of meeting our transport challenges is the need to reduce our dependency on the private car.
‘Making shorter trips through better and more integrated land use and transport planning, combining trip purposes and facilitating a vehicle and cycle sharing economy will also have an important part to play.
‘Providing better walking, cycling or public transport choices will enable a reduction in travel by private car. We aim to do this through a step change in walking and cycling infrastructure.
‘We also aim to speed up public transport, including more bus lanes and bus lane enforcement, and negotiate with operators under a new enhanced partnership to make fares cheaper and services better.’
According to the draft plan, specific focus is likely to be between Portsmouth and Southampton, in Basingstoke and the Blackwater Valley – the latter in partnership with Surrey County Council.
To do this, the county council will also look at bus priority, kerbside parking regulation and enforcing traffic offences along the busiest routes.
At the Portchester roundabout in Fareham, a consultation has already been launched that would give buses priority.
The draft local transport plan will be debated by the economy, transport and environment select committee next week.
After this, the plan is set to go out to public consultation, so that residents can also have their say.